Lita's goal finishes off Charlton

Charlton were unchanged from the team that drew against Derby reports Len Bentham from Carrow Road. Norwich won the first corner and this led to a second, Elliott punched it out. The Canaries continued the pressure with a free kick in a promising position. It was headed away by Hudson and eventually led to a free kick by the corner flag, but the ball went out of play for a goal kick.

Good pressure from Waghorn led to the first Charlton corner, followed by a second, again from Bailey. Marshall punched it clear. Semedo played an awful ball which went out of play. Bouazza did not make good use of a ball from Waghorn. A move started by Hudson led to a super cross that came in from the left from Basey, Bailey was about three yards away from it.

Cranie conceded a corner as Lita advanced. Lita scuffed his shot from the corner and it went over the bar. Fortune cleared from the next corner, Semedo broke away, but then conceded a free kick. Bell fed Lita, but his effort was not on target and he was offside anyway.

Following a free kick, Hudson put in a super dipping volley with his right foot and Marshall diving to his right had to tip the ball over. Marshall was able to gather from the corner and release Norwich. As the half hour approached, Bailey put in a poor pass to Gray. Semedo tried a shot which was not too far wide with the keeper beaten.

The home fans started to get a little restive. Roeder came down from the stands to the dugout to weave his magic. Sam was brought down by Drury who received a talking to from the referee. An effort by Norwich was blocked by Sam. Croft was challenged well by Basey. An offside decision against Norwich angered the home fans.

As the minutes ticked down, Norwich won a corner. Charlton had to do some defending, but Elliott was eventually able to claim the ball. Semedo went down injured. Two minutes of time was added on. The referee gave a free kick to Norwich for handball right of centre from the Charlton goal. The free kick went over the wall and not too far wide, the closest the Canaries had come since the opening stages. Charlton had matched Norwich, in particular the defence had kept Lita quiet, and it was time for one of Delia's pies.

Half time: Canaries 0, Addicks 0

Lita broke through, the flag stayed down, but he put it wide when one on one with the keeper. Lita and Bell combined well, but Hoolahan's shot deflected and went out of play for a corner. Charlton were awarded a free kick following the corner. Elliott was given a yellow card for time wasting.

Bouazza put in a shot on target from a tight angle that was gathered by Marshall in the Norwich goal. Clingan fed Lita, he chested the ball down in the area and beat Hudson to put the ball in the corner of the net, scoring against his former loan club just after 60 minutes.

Waghorn was taken off and Burton was brought on. Former Blackpool player Hoolihan was taken off and former Wimbledon and Newcastle ace Cort was brought on. Elliott made a poor clearance under pressure. The momentum was with the Canaries while the lack of confidence in the Charlton team showed. Bouazza made a poor pass which was typical of an indifferent game by the winger. Bouazza put in a ball that was neither a cross nor a shot.

Lita beat Hudson, but his shot took a deflection for a corner, leading to a second. Semedo was taken off and Todorov came on for the last quarter of an hour. Hudson had to be alert to clear at the expense of a Norwich corner. An error by Bailey led to a second. Bouazza tried a shot, but Marshall saved well, leading to a Charlton corner which was cleared by Norwich.

Sam was taken off in favour of Gillespie. Croft dispossessed Burton but caught him in the eye. Pattison was taken off by Norwich. Burton got in between two defenders, but there was a handball and he got a yellow card.

Four minutes of time were added on. But it was to no avail, although they tried a little harder in the last few minutes. Charlton had not had a shot on target in the second half, although once again the midfield was deficient, especially Bouazza and Bailey. This was not an impressive performance.

Elsewhere, Brakes won 3-0 at Malvern Town, all the goals coming in the first half.